JobInterviews
Polite questions, confident answers · present perfect vs past simple for experience + STAR
Your level · You are here
Get Talking · Section 1
5 minStart the conversation
What ARE the first three things you actually say in an interview? Walk through it.
Which interview question do you dread most? Why?
Compare 'How much do you pay?' with 'Could I ask about the salary range?'. Which works?
Grammar · Section 2
8–10 minPresent Perfect vs Past Simple for talking about experience
No specific time / life up to now → Present Perfect. A specific time or date → Past Simple.
- In interviews you constantly move between two tenses.
- Use the PRESENT PERFECT (have/has + past participle) to talk about experience up to now, with no specific time mentioned: 'Have you ever worked in retail?' / 'I've worked in three different countries.' The focus is the EXPERIENCE itself, not when it happened.
- Use the PAST SIMPLE when you give (or ask for) the specific details — a date, a place, a named company: 'I worked there from 2021 to 2023.' / 'When did you leave?' The classic interview pattern is PRESENT PERFECT question, then PAST SIMPLE for the follow-up detail: 'Have you ever managed a team?' — 'Yes, I have.
- I managed a team of six at my last company in 2022.' Signal words help you choose: ever / never / before / so far / in my career → Present Perfect; in [year] / last year / when I was at university / at my previous job → Past Simple.
- Talking about experience in general, with no date → Present Perfect ('I've worked in…').
- Giving the specific details once the topic is open → Past Simple ('I worked there in 2021.').
- Asking about experience → 'Have you ever…?' Asking for details → 'When/Where did you…?'
| Tense | Use in an interview | Typical signal |
|---|---|---|
| Present Perfect | experience up to now, no fixed time | Have you ever…? / I've worked… |
| Past Simple | specific completed time or event | in 2021 / last year / when I was at… |
Have you ever worked with a difficult client? — Yes, I have, actually, at my last job.
I've never managed a remote team before, but I'm keen to learn.
I worked at a design agency from 2021 to 2023.
So far I've led two major product launches.
When I was at university, I did a summer internship in marketing.
Not this
I have worked there in 2021.
Say this
I worked there in 2021.
Once you name a specific finished time (in 2021), switch to Past Simple — never mix Present Perfect with a finished-time expression.
Memory tip
Present Perfect = the headline (experience, no date). Past Simple = the small print (exact time, place, detail).
Natural English
Native speakers often open with Present Perfect and immediately drop into Past Simple for the story: 'I've actually managed a big team before — it was back in 2022, at my last company.'
Step 1 — Build the sentences yourself
Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.
1.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
2.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
3.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
4.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
Step 2 — Produce the form from memory
There isn't one "right" answer — write a natural version, then compare with the model.
Q1.Which pair follows the natural interview pattern? (answer in a few words)
Step 3 — Check your choices
Question 1.Choose: 'Have you ____ worked in customer service before?'
Question 2.Choose: 'I ____ there from 2021 to 2023.'
Question 3.Which is correct?
Question 4.Choose: 'So far, I ____ two major product launches.'
Vocabulary · Section 3
5–7 minWords & phrases to learn
strengths and weaknesses
the classic interview pair
In context
"My main strength is staying calm under pressure."
Now try it yourself
Name one strength and one HONEST weakness with a fix.
transferable skills
skills useful in many jobs
In context
"Teaching gave me strong transferable skills like communication."
Now try it yourself
List 3 transferable skills you have.
to be a team player
work well with others
In context
"I'd describe myself as a real team player."
Now try it yourself
Give an example of when you were a team player.
to take the initiative
act without being told
In context
"I noticed the problem and took the initiative."
Now try it yourself
Tell a 20-second story where you took the initiative.
notice period
how long until you can leave a job
In context
"I'm on a one-month notice period."
Now try it yourself
How long is your notice period (or your friend's)?
to follow up
contact again after a meeting/interview
In context
"I'll follow up with a thank-you email this evening."
Now try it yourself
Draft one sentence to follow up after an interview.
package / benefits
salary + extras (pension, days off, insurance)
In context
"Could you tell me a bit about the wider benefits package?"
Now try it yourself
Which 3 benefits matter most to you?
to be a good fit
to match a role or culture
In context
"I think I'd be a good fit for your team."
Now try it yourself
Why are you a good fit for one job you'd love?
Pick at least three words from above and use each one in a sentence about your real life. Say each one aloud before you write.
Ask your teacher (or a partner) a question that uses one of today's words. They reply using a different word.
Rank today's words from most to least useful for you this week. Defend your top choice.
Finish: "Honestly, I'd say…" using one of today's words.
Tip: aim to reuse at least two of these words later in the Speaking and Writing tasks.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Pronunciation · Section 4
3–4 minPolite intonation — rising on indirect questions
Indirect questions ('Could you tell me…?', 'I was wondering if…') need a clear RISING tone at the end, even though the word order is statement-like. A flat or falling tone sounds like a demand. Slow down at the end of the question — never rush it.
- • Could you tell me what a typical day LOOKS like? ↗
- • I was wondering if there's any FLEXibility. ↗
- • Would you mind telling me how the team is STRUCtured? ↗
- • Could I ask about the salary RANGE? ↗
Reading · Section 5
8–10 minThe STAR answer that wins interviews
Most candidates fail interview questions like 'Tell me about a time you solved a problem' for the same reason: they describe the problem, then jump straight to 'and we fixed it' — leaving out the part the interviewer actually wants to hear, which is YOU.
The fix is a four-letter framework called STAR. SITUATION: set the scene in one sentence. TASK: what was your specific job in it? ACTION: what did YOU personally do, step by step? RESULT: what changed, ideally with a number? A good STAR answer takes 60–90 seconds. The two most common mistakes are spending 45 seconds on SITUATION (and almost none on ACTION), or saying 'we' instead of 'I'. Interviewers are hiring YOU — make sure they hear YOU in the answer.
Step 1 — Read for the overall picture: true or false?
Q1.A good STAR answer should take 60–90 seconds.
Q2.Saying 'we' instead of 'I' is recommended.
Step 2 — Find the evidence and answer
Question 1.What does STAR stand for?
Question 2.Which part do candidates most often UNDER-do?
Listening · Section 6
8–10 minA short interview — junior project manager role
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Marcus:Thanks for coming in, Priya. So — tell me a bit about yourself.
Priya:Sure. I've been working as a coordinator at a design agency for the last two years, mainly managing client timelines. Before that, I studied communications.
Marcus:Great. And why are you interested in this role specifically?
Priya:Honestly, the main reason is the size of your projects. I'd love to take more end-to-end ownership, and I think my organisation skills would be a really good fit.
Marcus:Tell me about a time you handled a difficult situation at work.
Priya:Sure. Last December, a key supplier dropped out two weeks before a launch. I rebuilt the timeline, found two backup vendors and ran daily check-ins for the team. We launched on time and actually came in slightly under budget.
Marcus:Nice STAR answer. Do you have any questions for us?
Priya:Yes, a couple. Could you tell me what a typical first 90 days would look like? And I was wondering whether there's flexibility on the start date — I'm on a four-week notice period.
Step 1 — Listen and notice the language
Step 2 — Listen again and complete the notes
Question 1.Why does Priya want the role?
Question 2.What two things does she ask at the end?
Exam tip · Section 7
5 minSpeaking — answering behavioural questions with STAR
Task
Answer 'Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult situation' in 60–90 seconds using all four STAR steps.
Strategy
SITUATION (1 sentence): when & where. TASK (1 sentence): YOUR specific responsibility. ACTION (3–4 sentences): the steps YOU personally took — use 'I', not 'we'. RESULT (1–2 sentences): the outcome, ideally with a number or visible change.
Example
Last spring, I was leading a small student volunteering project. (S) My job was to coordinate twelve volunteers across three weekends. (T) Two volunteers dropped out the night before our biggest event, so I called five backups, reassigned tasks based on people's strengths and ran a quick 20-minute briefing the next morning. (A) We delivered the event with no visible disruption and actually got the highest feedback score of the year. (R)
Practice · Section 8
8–10 minFill in the blank
Step 1 — Retrieve it from memory first
There isn't one "right" answer — write a natural version, then compare with the model.
Q1.Ask about experience using 'Have you ever…?'
Q2.Answer with a specific past detail using Past Simple.
Q3.Describe yourself with ONE strength using 'I'd describe myself as…'.
Q4.Close politely after the interview.
Step 2 — Now check your choices
Question 1.____ you ever worked in a fast-paced environment?
Question 2.I ____ at that company from 2020 to 2022.
Question 3.I'd describe myself as a real team ____.
Question 4.I'm on a one-month notice ____.
Question 5.I'll ____ up with an email this evening.
Writing · Section 9
5 minPut it in writing
Your task
Write a 80–100 word follow-up email after a job interview. Include: thank-you, ONE specific thing you enjoyed discussing, a reminder of your fit, and a polite next-step question (indirect form).
Your answer
Your work saves automatically0 words
Show model answer
Dear Marcus, Thank you very much for your time yesterday. I really enjoyed our conversation, especially the part about the upcoming launch in Q2 — it sounds like exactly the kind of end-to-end project I'd love to be involved in. As we discussed, I think my background in coordinating cross-functional teams would be a good fit, and I'm genuinely excited about the role. Could you let me know what the expected next steps are, and whether there's any further information I can send across? Thanks again — I look forward to hearing from you. Best regards, Priya
Speaking · Section 10
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
Pairs: full 5-minute mock interview. Student A is the interviewer with 4 fixed questions (tell me about yourself / strength + weakness / STAR question / your questions). Student B answers, MUST use 2 indirect questions and 1 STAR answer. Swap and repeat with a different role.
Useful phrases
- • I'd describe myself as…
- • My main strength is… / One area I'm working on is…
- • Could you tell me…? / I was wondering if…
- • I'd be a good fit because…
- • Thank you for your time.
Speaking reflection & notes
Your work saves automatically0 words
- ATell me about yourself.
- B_______________
- AWhat's your biggest weakness?
- B_______________
- ADo you have any questions for us?
- B_______________
Homework · Section 11
Take-homeTake it home
Record a 60-second STAR answer to 'Tell me about a time you solved a problem'.
Write 5 indirect questions you could ask in your next interview.
Watch a 5-min mock-interview video on YouTube and note 3 things the candidate does well.
Homework notes
Your work saves automatically0 words
Recap · Section 12
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Experience with no date = Present Perfect: 'Have you ever…?' / 'I've worked in…'
- Specific time or detail = Past Simple: 'I worked there in 2021.'
- Behavioural questions = STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
- Say 'I', not 'we'. Action is the longest step.
- Always have 2 questions ready at the end.
- Follow up by email within 24 hours.
Extra Practice
Need more practice?
Practise the grammar, vocabulary and speaking from this lesson.